# Help Us Stranger > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Help_Us_Stranger > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Help_Us_Stranger.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help_Us_Stranger > Source revision: 1334467042 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = Help Us Stranger | type = studio | artist = [the Raconteurs](/source/the_Raconteurs) | cover = The Raconteurs - Help Us Stranger.png | alt = | released = {{Start date|2019|6|21}} | recorded = June 2018 – January 2019 | studio = Third Man, Nashville | genre = {{hlist|[Blues rock](/source/Blues_rock){{Cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/raconteurs-help-us-stranger-review |title=The Raconteurs – 'Help Us Stranger' review |last=Trendell |first=Andrew |date=June 20, 2019 |website=[NME](/source/NME) |access-date=June 24, 2019}}|[garage rock](/source/garage_rock){{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2019/music/album-reviews/raconteurs-help-us-stranger-album-review-1203249417/ |title=Album Review: The Raconteurs' 'Help Us Stranger' |last=Ruskin |first=Zack |date=June 20, 2019 |website=[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine)) |access-date=June 22, 2019}}}} | length = 41:14 | label = [Third Man](/source/Third_Man_Records) | producer = The Raconteurs | prev_title = [Consolers of the Lonely](/source/Consolers_of_the_Lonely) | prev_year = 2008 | next_title = | next_year = | misc = {{Singles | name = Help Us Stranger | type = studio | single1 = Sunday Driver" / "Now That You're Gone | single1date = December 19, 2018 | single2 = [Hey Gyp (Dig the Slowness)](/source/Hey_Gyp_(Dig_the_Slowness)) | single2date = April 10, 2019 | single3 = Help Me Stranger | single3date = May 17, 2019 | single4 = Bored and Razed | single4date = June 10, 2019 | single5 = Somedays (I Don't Feel Like Trying) | single5date = September 7, 2019 }} }} '''''Help Us Stranger''''' is the third studio album by American [rock](/source/Rock_music) band [the Raconteurs](/source/the_Raconteurs). It was released on June 21, 2019, through [Third Man Records](/source/Third_Man_Records), their first studio album in 11 years following ''[Consolers of the Lonely](/source/Consolers_of_the_Lonely)'' (2008). The album was recorded at Third Man Studio in Nashville, Tennessee, and mixed at [Blackbird Studio](/source/Blackbird_Studio) in Nashville. It was produced by the band, engineered by Joshua V. Smith, and mixed by Vance Powell.{{Cite web|url=https://theraconteurs.com/posts/the-raconteurs-return-with-new-album-help-us-stranger|title=THE RACONTEURS RETURN WITH NEW ALBUM, HELP US STRANGER|website=Theraconteurs.com|access-date=June 21, 2025}} ==Promotion and release== On the tenth anniversary of the band's second studio album, ''[Consolers of the Lonely](/source/Consolers_of_the_Lonely)'' released in 2008, Third Man announced a re-issue of the album, along with two previously unreleased songs, "Sunday Driver" and "Now That You're Gone" were released as double A-side singles.{{cite web|url=https://thirdmanrecords.com/index.php/news/vault-38-the-raconteurs-consolers-of-the-lonely/|title=Vault # 38: The Raconteurs ''Consolers of the Lonely''|access-date=2019-05-07|archive-date=2019-04-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412080939/https://thirdmanrecords.com/index.php/news/vault-38-the-raconteurs-consolers-of-the-lonely/|url-status=dead}} Both songs received videos, which were shot a week before the release.{{cite web|url=https://thirdmanrecords.com/index.php/news/the-raconteurs-return-with-first-new-music-in-over-a-decade/|title=Raconteurs Return with First new Music in Over a Decade|access-date=2019-05-07|archive-date=2019-04-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412080942/https://thirdmanrecords.com/index.php/news/the-raconteurs-return-with-first-new-music-in-over-a-decade/|url-status=dead}} On April 2, 2019, the album artwork, along with its track listing and release date were announced. On April 10, "[Hey Gyp (Dig the Slowness)](/source/Hey_Gyp_(Dig_the_Slowness))", a cover of the [Donovan](/source/Donovan) song, premiered on [Bandcamp](/source/Bandcamp).{{Cite web|url=https://theraconteurs.bandcamp.com/track/hey-gyp-dig-the-slowness|title=Hey Gyp (Dig The Slowness), by The Raconteurs|website=The Raconteurs|access-date=June 21, 2025}} Two days later, it was also made available on other platforms. On September 5, 2019, the band performed on ''[The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon](/source/The_Tonight_Show_Starring_Jimmy_Fallon)'' and performed the single "Only Child", as well as "Shine the Light on Me".{{Cite web|url=https://headlineplanet.com/home/2019/09/04/first-look-the-raconteurs-perform-on-the-tonight-show-starring-jimmy-fallon/|title=The Raconteurs Perform On "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon"|date=2019-09-04|website=Headline Planet|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-05}}{{Citation|title=The Raconteurs: Shine the Light on Me|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAv1HlpwEJo|language=en|access-date=2019-09-05}} A limited edition LP release with lenticular cover art was sent out to Third Man Vault subscribers. This edition features a parodic photoshop of the original "butcher" cover for [the Beatles](/source/the_Beatles){{'}} 1966 studio album ''[Yesterday and Today](/source/Yesterday_and_Today)'', in which the Raconteurs' heads are pasted atop [John Lennon](/source/John_Lennon), [Paul McCartney](/source/Paul_McCartney), [George Harrison](/source/George_Harrison), and [Ringo Starr](/source/Ringo_Starr); the artwork is hidden beneath the lenticular print, mirroring [Capitol Records](/source/Capitol_Records){{'}} method of censoring the "butcher" cover, thus requiring buyers to peel it off in order to reveal the image.{{cite news |last1=Willman |first1=Chris |title=Raconteurs Salute Beatles With ‘Butcher Cover’ Parody Hidden Within New LP Sleeve |url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/raconteurs-jack-white-beatles-butcher-cover-parody-1203251055/ |access-date=7 November 2023 |work=Variety |agency=Penske Media Corporation |publisher=Michelle Sobrino-Stearns & Dea Lawrence |date=23 June 2019 |ref=Willman 2019}} ==Critical reception== {{Music ratings | ADM = 7.5/10{{cite web|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/9942/The-Raconteurs-Help-Us-Stranger.aspx|title=Help Us Stranger by The Raconteurs reviews|publisher=AnyDecentMusic?|access-date=June 24, 2019}} | MC = 81/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/help-us-stranger/the-raconteurs|title=Help Us Stranger by The Raconteurs Reviews and Tracks|publisher=[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic)|access-date=May 9, 2020}} | rev1 = [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic) | rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/help-us-stranger-mw0003272836|title=Help Us Stranger – The Raconteurs|publisher=[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|access-date=June 24, 2019}} | rev2 = ''[Chicago Tribune](/source/Chicago_Tribune)'' | rev2score = {{Rating|3|4}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/greg-kot/sc-ent-raconteurs-review-0621-20190621-mnliduwlunc55b6ytwqdy66uvm-story.html |title=Review: Raconteurs reconvene and Jack White regains his stride on 'Help Us Stranger' |last=Kot |first=Greg |date=June 21, 2019 |website=[Chicago Tribune](/source/Chicago_Tribune) |access-date=July 1, 2019}} | rev3 = ''[Consequence of Sound](/source/Consequence_of_Sound)'' | rev3score = B{{Cite web |url=https://consequence.net/2019/06/album-review-the-raconteurs-help-us-stranger/ |title=The Raconteurs Remain Steady as She Goes on Help Us Stranger |last=Clark |first=Tyler |date=June 21, 2019 |website=[Consequence of Sound](/source/Consequence_of_Sound) |access-date=July 1, 2019}} | rev4 = ''[DIY](/source/DIY_(magazine))'' | rev4score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web|url=http://diymag.com/2019/06/21/the-raconteurs-help-us-stranger-album-review|title=The Raconteurs – Help Us Stranger {{!}} Reviews|work=[DIY](/source/DIY_(magazine))|last=Wright|first=Lisa|date=June 21, 2019|access-date=June 24, 2019}} | rev5 = ''[Exclaim!](/source/Exclaim!)'' | rev5score = 8/10{{Cite web |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/the_raconteurs-help_us_stranger |title=The Raconteurs – Help Us Stranger |last=Hudson |first=Alex |date=June 18, 2019 |website=[Exclaim!](/source/Exclaim!) |access-date=July 1, 2019}} | rev6 = ''[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)'' | rev6score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/jun/21/the-raconteurs-help-us-stranger-review|title=The Raconteurs: Help Us Stranger review – classic rock undone by aggro|work=[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)|last=Aroesti|first=Rachel|date=June 21, 2019|access-date=June 24, 2019}} | rev7 = ''[NME](/source/NME)'' | rev7score = {{Rating|4|5}} | rev8 = ''[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))'' | rev8score = 6.4/10{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/the-raconteurs-help-us-stranger/|title=The Raconteurs: Help Us Stranger Album Review|website=[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))|last=Thomas|first=Peyton|date=June 26, 2019|access-date=June 26, 2019}} | rev9 = ''[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)'' | rev9score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/black-keys-and-raconteurs-852140/ |title=The Black Keys and Raconteurs Take Rock Back to the Future |last=Fricke |first=David |date=June 27, 2019 |magazine=[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone) |access-date=July 1, 2019}} | rev10 = ''[Slant Magazine](/source/Slant_Magazine)'' | rev10score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review-the-raconteurs-help-us-stranger-is-a-robust-return-to-form/|title=Review: The Raconteurs's Help Us Stranger Is a Robust Return to Form|website=[Slant Magazine](/source/Slant_Magazine)|last=Winograd|first=Jeremy|date=June 12, 2019|access-date=June 24, 2019}} }} ''Help Us Stranger'' received favourable reviews from music critics. At [Metacritic](/source/Metacritic), which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 81, based on 24 reviews. ''[Loudwire](/source/Loudwire)'' named it one of the 50 best rock albums of 2019.{{cite web |title=The 50 Best Rock Albums of 2019 |url=https://loudwire.com/best-rock-albums-of-2019/ |website=[Loudwire](/source/Loudwire) |publisher=[Townsquare Media](/source/Townsquare_Media) |access-date=March 7, 2021 |date=December 5, 2019}} ==Commercial performance== ''Help Us Stranger'' debuted at number one on the US [''Billboard'' 200](/source/Billboard_200) with 88,000 [album-equivalent unit](/source/album-equivalent_unit)s, of which 84,000 were pure album sales. It was The Raconteurs' first US number-one album.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/the-raconteurs-first-no-1-album-billboard-200/|title=The Raconteurs Land First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Help Us Stranger'|magazine=Billboard|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=June 30, 2019|access-date=July 1, 2019}} It has also charted in the top ten in Canada, UK, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Belgium (Flanders region). ==Track listing== {{Track listing | headline = ''Help Us Stranger'' track listing | all_writing = [Brendan Benson](/source/Brendan_Benson) and [Jack White](/source/Jack_White), except "Hey Gyp (Dig the Slowness)" written by [Donovan Leitch](/source/Donovan) | title1 = Bored and Razed | length1 = 3:35 | title2 = Help Me Stranger | length2 = 3:36 | title3 = Only Child | length3 = 3:41 | title4 = Don't Bother Me | length4 = 2:53 | title5 = Shine the Light On Me | length5 = 3:28 | title6 = Somedays (I Don't Feel Like Trying) | length6 = 4:06 | title7 = [Hey Gyp (Dig the Slowness)](/source/Hey_Gyp_(Dig_the_Slowness)) | note7 = [Donovan](/source/Donovan) cover | length7 = 2:25 | title8 = Sunday Driver | length8 = 3:38 | title9 = Now That You're Gone | length9 = 4:01 | title10 = Live a Lie | length10 = 2:20 | title11 = What's Yours Is Mine | length11 = 2:49 | title12 = Thoughts and Prayers | length12 = 4:42 | total_length = 41:14 }} {{Track listing | headline = Third Man Records Vault edition bonus 7" | title1 = Help Me Stranger | note1 = demo | length1 = | title2 = Somedays (I Don't Feel Like Trying) | note2 = demo | length2 = }} ==Personnel== Personnel adapted from album notes.{{cite AV media notes|title=Help Us Stranger|others=[The Raconteurs](/source/The_Raconteurs)|year=2019|type=album liner notes|author=[Third Man Records](/source/Third_Man_Records)|publisher=Third Man Records}} {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} '''The Raconteurs''' *[Jack White](/source/Jack_White) – vocals, guitar, piano, synthesizer, production *[Brendan Benson](/source/Brendan_Benson) – vocals, guitar, percussion, harmonica, production *[Jack Lawrence](/source/Jack_Lawrence_(bass_guitarist)) – bass guitar, guitar, synthesizer, backing vocals, production *[Patrick Keeler](/source/Patrick_Keeler) – drums, percussion, backing vocals, production '''Additional musicians''' *[Dean Fertita](/source/Dean_Fertita) – piano, synthesizers, guitar, organ *[Lillie Mae Rische](/source/Lillie_Mae) – violin *Scarlett Rische – mandolin *Joshua V. Smith – backing vocals, organ {{col-2}} '''Technical personnel''' *Michael Fahey – assistant mixing *Dusty Fairchild – assistant engineering *[Vance Powell](/source/Vance_Powell) – mixing *The Raconteurs – production, mixing *Bill Skibbe – mastering *Joshua V. Smith – engineering '''Design''' *Rob Jones – design, cover art concept *Patrick Keeler – photography, design *Tristan McNatt – cover art concept {{col-end}} ==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} ===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Weekly chart performance for ''Help Us Stranger'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2019) ! scope="col"| Peak
position |- {{album chart|Australia|23|artist=The Saboteurs|album=Help Us Stranger|rowheader=true|access-date=June 29, 2019}} |- {{album chart|Austria|7|artist=The Raconteurs|album=Help Us Stranger|rowheader=true|access-date=July 5, 2019}} |- {{album chart|Flanders|8|artist=The Raconteurs|album=Help Us Stranger|rowheader=true|access-date=June 28, 2019}} |- {{album chart|Wallonia|26|artist=The Raconteurs|album=Help Us Stranger|rowheader=true|access-date=June 28, 2019}} |- {{album chart|BillboardCanada|2|artist=The Raconteurs|rowheader=true|access-date=July 2, 2019}} |- {{album chart|Netherlands|10|artist=The Raconteurs|album=Help Us Stranger|rowheader=true|access-date=June 28, 2019}} |- {{album chart|France|22|artist=The Raconteurs|album=Help Us Stranger|rowheader=true|access-date=July 3, 2019}} |- {{album chart|Germany|14|id=385270|artist=The Raconteurs|album=Help Us Stranger|rowheader=true|access-date=June 28, 2019}} |- {{album chart|Ireland2|24|artist=The Raconteurs|rowheader=true|access-date=June 29, 2019}} |- {{album chart|Italy|34|artist=The Raconteurs|album=Help Us Stranger|rowheader=true|access-date=June 29, 2019}} |- {{album chart|Oricon|84|M|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/390072/|title=ザ・ラカンターズ|publisher=[Oricon](/source/Oricon)|rowheader=true|access-date=June 27, 2019}} |- {{album chart|New Zealand|38|artist=The Raconteurs|album=Help Us Stranger|rowheader=true|access-date=June 28, 2019}} |- {{album chart|Poland|28|id=1218|rowheader=true|access-date=July 4, 2019}} |- {{album chart|Portugal|25|artist=The Raconteurs|album=Help Us Stranger|rowheader=true|access-date=July 18, 2019}} |- {{album chart|Scotland|6|date=20190628|rowheader=true|access-date=June 29, 2019}} |- {{album chart|Spain|18|artist=The Raconteurs|album=Help Us Stranger|rowheader=true|access-date=July 4, 2019}} |- {{album chart|Switzerland|6|artist=The Raconteurs|album=Help Us Stranger|rowheader=true|access-date=July 4, 2019}} |- {{album chart|UK2|8|date=20190628|rowheader=true|access-date=June 29, 2019}} |- {{album chart|Billboard200|1|artist=The Raconteurs|rowheader=true|access-date=July 3, 2019}} |- {{album chart|BillboardAlternative|1|artist=The Raconteurs|rowheader=true|access-date=July 3, 2019}} |- {{album chart|BillboardRock|1|artist=The Raconteurs|rowheader=true|access-date=July 3, 2019}} |} {{col-2}} ===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Year-end chart performance for ''Help Us Stranger'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2019) ! scope="col"| Position |- ! scope="row"| US Top Rock Albums (''Billboard''){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2019/top-rock-albums|title=Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2019|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 5, 2020}} | 53 |} {{col-end}} ==References== {{Reflist}} {{The Raconteurs}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Help Us Stranger}} Category:2019 albums Category:The Raconteurs albums Category:Albums produced by Jack White Category:Third Man Records albums --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Help Us Stranger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help_Us_Stranger) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help_Us_Stranger?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.